Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri criticized Bundesliga champs Bayern Munich after the German giants openly revealed their intention about signing Chelsea’s young prospect Callum Hudson Odoi. Bayern have gone on to submit of a bid around £35m for the 18-year-old and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has claimed that the German champions “really want to sign him”.
Sarri recently gave a recent statement about the whole situation and did not seem too happy with the entire situation. He stated, “It is not professional, because they are talking about a player under contract with Chelsea. So they didn’t respect our club, I think.”
Sarri who has earlier made claims of signing two players in the January winter transfer window also said that he wants the youngster to stay at Stamford Bridge. However, Hudson-Odoi has only 18 months on his current Chelsea contract and despite all the transfer saga, the Blues haven’t offered him a new contract if the reports are to believed.
“We are very happy with the player because he is improving. He is improving a lot I think in the defensive phase. Now, he needs to improve in some movements without the ball. He is working very well and I would like to have him in the future.”
The England U-19 international made his first-team debut for the Blues last year in the FA Cup followed by another start in the Carabao Cup, where Chelsea were defeated by Tottenham. Hudson-Odoi has been an exciting talent for Sarri and Chelsea, as the 18-year old provided two assists in the Blues third round FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest.
However the teenager has found it difficult to start in the Premier League making only two appearances for the west London club so far. The U-17 World Cup winner with England has proven his mettle time and again and with an under-performing Willian in the squad, Sarri should take his chances and go ahead with the teenager.
The Brazilian did recently score in his side’s win over Newcastle, though his overall campaign has been really poor so far. If the attacker wants to keep hold of his place in the days to come, he will have to improve and impress the former Napoli boss once again. Otherwise, he could be sold in the summer transfer window.
Although if the Chelsea winger leaves for Bayern he will become the third English player to play in the German Bundesliga, with the other two being Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund and Reiss Nelson who is currently at Hoffenheim on loan from Arsenal. Both the youngsters have found their feet in the new league and have made a name for themselves in Germany and hence it is likely for Hudson-Odoi to follow their footsteps.
With players like Eden Hazard, Pedro and Willian all ahead of him in the pecking order it is difficult for the teenager to find proper game time at Stamford Bridge currently. However Chelsea boss, Maurizio Sarri has said that is starting to consider him at the same level.
“I think that Hudson-Odoi is improving. In one or two months he will be at the same level as the other players.”
The competition will be more intense as Chelsea’s latest signing from Borussia Dortmund, Christian Pulisic will arrive at the Bridge at the end of the current campaign. He was bought and sent back on loan and Hudson-Odoi chances of getting regular game time seems bleaker in future as well. This could be the main reason why the player does not really wish to be at the club and is looking for a long-term future at the Allianz Arena.
With players like Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery in the twilight of their career at Bayern, it will be an interesting move for Hudson-Odoi if the deal goes through. However, it is task cut out for the Bavarians to break the Chelsea resilience, as even the club from west London knows how important .
